Hyssop
Hyssop is not only an herb whose pronunciation sounds like a hissing cat with hiccups but it’s said to keep evil spirits at bay.
This Th-HERBS-day, we honor Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis). It is a member of the mint family and an extremely aromatic herb, especially when the leaves are ground in a mortar.
The name Hyssop comes from the Greek word hussopos and the Hebrew word esob, which means “holy herb.” It was mentioned in the Bible (“Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow”), though etymologists are unclear whether this is the same hyssop we are talking about today.
According to Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, hyssop is the most widely used purification herb in magic.
That being said it’s probably a good idea to keep your apothecaries stocked and ready with this minty bodyguard when the veils between our world and the spiritual world continue to thin as we near Samhain.
Hyssop Historical Roots, Uses, and Lore
Hyssop is native to Europe and Asia.
It has been used in sickrooms for thousands of years, but aside from being mentioned in Bible quotes, hyssop’s earliest found references date back to the 17th century.
During this era, hyssop was strewn throughout kitchens and sickrooms to improve odors.
It was also utilized in poultices for black eyes, made into expectorant teas to treat coughs, added to stews to flavor meat, and used in addition to vinegar and holy water to keep out negative spirits.
Hyssop was believed to clean wounds from rusted metal due to penicillin growing on the leaves, but herbalists today attribute its antimicrobial properties to its volatile oils (aka essential oils). (ref. Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Copyright 1987.)
At one point, it was recommended to see the local “alchemist” to use hyssop safely but later was found to be mostly safe for human consumption.
According to WebMD, hyssop has not been found to cause any harm-though some animal studies suggest that hyssop oil may cause serious adverse effects at low doses.
In the garden, hyssop is wonderful for repelling pesty insects and can be a great companion plant for growing vegetables and other herbs.
Spell Crafting with Hyssop and Ritual Use
In ancient texts, hyssop has been referred to as a “holy herb” and is an extremely important herbal ally to have in any standard witch’s apothecary.
Hyssop’s “holy” powers still hold firm when used in banishments and exorcising the home of dense entities.
Its magick properties shine when used in purification rituals, space cleansings, and protection from trickster spirits.
It is just as powerful in its ability to cleanse and purify a space as white sage.
Bundling dried hyssop together with twine to use for smudging is a great way to drive away negative entities from the home.
Before you start smudging, make sure to open a door or window and focus on driving the negative energies through these openings.
While smudging, it is important to smudge each room, corner, and closet so that any entity attempting to hide is driven out.
Try to remember to move clockwise throughout the space as you smudge.
Anointing with Hyssop
After smudging, follow up with hanging fresh hyssop outside of doorways and windows.
If fresh hyssop isn’t available, mix its essential oil or its dried leaves and stems with apple cider vinegar, after bruising with a mortar and pestle.
Brush the mixture on doorways and window frames using hyssop branches or a besom to keep the negative entities at bay.
Adding dried hyssop branches to your besom is also recommended to give it some extra cleansing strength.
If any of the mixture is left over, divide the remainder into ceramic, clay, or crystal bowls, and place them in all the corners of the home or space.
You may also want to pour a little bit of the remaining liquid into a small protective spell jar to keep on your person or in your car to add protection while you’re out and about.
Remove the bowls during the next cleansing (preferably after the next lunar cycle) and discard the liquid by pouring it clockwise outside along the perimeter of the property.
You may also want to boil the liquid in an outside cauldron until it is completely evaporated.
Evaporating the hyssop and apple cider vinegar liquid will carry away any trapped dense energies into higher vibrational planes.
By boiling the remaining liquid, the negative energies caught within it will weaken and be driven away from your space.
It’s best to ritually do this on the day of the full moon when it is time to release the things that no longer serve you-but purifying your altar tools or home with hyssop can be done anytime.
Hyssop’s Energetic Properties
The properties of hyssop (and any other herb you intend to work with) are an extremely helpful guide to assist you in spell crafting and rituals.
When planned carefully on the herb’s corresponding days, seasons, zodiacs, etc., the energy of the herb is heightened and will add more power to your intention.
Here are 18 ancient Mediterranean and European based shamanistic properties associated with hyssop:
1. Planet: Jupiter
2. Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
3. House: 9th
4. Element: Fire
5. Gender Energy: Masculine
6. Chakra: Sacral (Orange)
7. Archangel: Zadkiel
8. Deity: Zeus (Greek), Odin (Norse), Tinia (Etruscan)
9. Sabbat: Yule
10. Season: Late Fall, Early Winter
11. Day: Thursday
12. Body: Blood, Liver, Veins, Arteries, and Thighs
13. Rune: Tiwaz, Berkana
14. Numerology: 3
15. Fae: Salamander
16. Major Arcana: Wheel of Fortune, Temperance
17. Minor Arcana: Wands
18. Cartomancy: Diamonds
Growing and Harvesting Hyssop
Hyssop is a plant that grows best in the full sun or partial shade.
If you’re familiar with growing other mint species, you’ll find that hyssop is just as easy to grow.
Most bugs stay away from these guys and any other herb nearby, which gives hyssop event more street cred as a protection herb.
This herb can be grown directly from seeds or by propagation in the early spring.
As you plan where to grow, keep in mind that the soil should have a pH of 6.7 and be well-drained or dry. (ref. Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Copyrite 1987.)
To test your soil’s pH level, we recommend investing in a good soil tester.
When sowing seeds, place them about ¼ inches deep in the dirt at about one-foot distance from each other.
If you are propagating with cuttings, be sure to plant in the spring or the fall.
Hyssop is a pollinator’s favorite, so having it around will keep the bees happy and add flavor to their honey.
Pruning is rarely necessary, but you may need to do so to remove old flower heads.
Add fish emulsion feed to the soil after heavy trimming or pruning to encourage more blooms.
It’s recommended to replace hyssop every four to five years, as doing so will prevent it from getting too woody.
Woody stems=less potent essential oils.
Storing Hyssop
Harvesting herbs for spell crafting is an honor for many witches.
Many spell crafters do so ritually with specific tools they deem sacred solely for the use of harvesting.
A common witching tool used for harvesting is a boline.
You may also use scissors, pruners, or a scythe for this purpose.
Any tool will do as long as you have intention behind its use.
When harvesting hyssop for medicinal use, cut near the base of the stems just before the flowers begin to bloom.
Hang the herb bundles upside down on an herb rack or on some twine using wooden clothespins.
Keep the hyssop bundles in a dark warm area for roughly 12 days.
The herb is ready when the leaves easily crunch and crumble by your fingertips.
Dried hyssop can keep for about a year before its characteristic oils become less potent.
Store the dried leaves, flowers, and stems in tightly closed tins or glass containers.
Remember to label the containers with the date it was picked and hung to dry.
When harvesting the flower essence of hyssop, it’s best to cut the flowers right after they’ve bloomed in peak seasonal.
Some Tips on How to Spiritually Connect to Hyssop
If you’re new to working with hyssop (or any other herb), meditating with it is a great way to develop an understanding of its message.
To get familiar with its energy, sit with the plant and emit the appreciation you have for it.
While sitting with the herb, write a list of 50-100 characteristics that you notice.
Writing everything you can observe about the herb is one of the best ways to become present with it and interpret its essence.
Sounds a bit excessive, but once you begin focusing on the herb, you will inadvertently ease into a meditative state.
An energetic communication between your soul and the plant’s soul will begin.
You may start to see or feel what the plant’s message is as subtle images or emotions appear within your mind and body.
Like spirit animals, plant spirits are part of the angelic realm.
They have subtle messages and gifts to bless all who are open to receiving them.
The correspondences of herbs are to help guide shamans/hedge witches so the herb can be utilized to its fullest potential.
The energy that emits between your aura and that of the herb is personal to you and may resonate with your journey.
Communication with plants is similar to working with spiritual energies, only the plant’s spirit is contained and anchored to one spot.
As a show of mutual love and respect to our green allies, always give an offering to the plant when harvesting.
Only take what you need from it.
Happy crafting!
